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funny thing about it, is it seems like you can't even have reasonable conversation about "what if" on all the positions with Eifert groupies jumping in... I'm thinking ILB, OLB, WR, RB, NT and even S are very possible... there are starters to be had at all the positions, depending on how the draft falls - and saying "it takes too long to get intergrated in this defense" is a horrible response. It's basically proposing that you wait one more year to get a potential starter for a year LATER... starting ILB coudl happen right away, if needed (Kendrell Bell).. As could NT (Casey). Both Woodley and Timmons were "in the rotation" as rooks.

funny thing about it, is it seems like you can't even have reasonable conversation about "what if" on all the positions with Eifert groupies jumping in... I'm thinking ILB, OLB, WR, RB, NT and even S are very possible... there are starters to be had at all the positions, depending on how the draft falls - and saying "it takes too long to get intergrated in this defense" is a horrible response. It's basically proposing that you wait one more year to get a potential starter for a year LATER... starting ILB coudl happen right away, if needed (Kendrell Bell).. As could NT (Casey). Both Woodley and Timmons were "in the rotation" as rooks.

Seems like the majority are locked in on Jones or Eifert.

As far as other positions go, I don't like any ILBs, SS, FS, WR, RB, or NT at 17. There could be an CB, LT, or LG that falls to us even though those aren't desperate positions of need. Overall, I kinda hope we trade down. I think this draft is super deep in rounds 2-5, but kinda stinks around where we pick.

Just pick the best player available. If that's Eifert, so be it. If that's Vaccaro, so be it.

The team could stand an upgrade at several positions, all mentioned previously....

Just pick the best guy...

But alas, easier said than done.... I am sure the Steelers thought Mendenhall and Hood were the best players available in those drafts, passing on Rice, Forte and Kruger. Seems that didn't work out so well....

If the Steelers look for a safety early, they might be wise to target the talented Kenny Vaccaro (6’1″ 218 lbs.) as they begin the rebuilding process in their secondary. Vaccaro was the Longhorns’ leading tackler last year (104) and added 4.0 tackles for loss, forced two fumbles, and made 2 interceptions as well. A two-and-a-half year starter at Texas (31 Starts, 50 Games), Vaccaro played both free and strong safety during his collegiate career, and is adept at helping with coverage in the slot in “Big Nickel” packages too.

If the Steelers look for a safety early, they might be wise to target the talented Kenny Vaccaro (6’1″ 218 lbs.) as they begin the rebuilding process in their secondary. Vaccaro was the Longhorns’ leading tackler last year (104) and added 4.0 tackles for loss, forced two fumbles, and made 2 interceptions as well. A two-and-a-half year starter at Texas (31 Starts, 50 Games), Vaccaro played both free and strong safety during his collegiate career, and is adept at helping with coverage in the slot in “Big Nickel” packages too.

Pappy, I think the O struggled not due to a lack of talent but a lack of comfort with the new O. I believe it will be better this year even without the addition of a new talent.

I tend to agree. The O felt like it was coming into its own before Ben went down. But I think we went over 30 points only once during the season (and lost to the Raiders) and there were 6 games where we scored less than 20 points (2 early in the season, before Ben's injury, 1 at Ben's injury, 3 after Ben's injury).

On the season, we averaged 21 points. That ranks 22nd in the league and just plain isn't good enough. With most of the rules favoring the offense, we need to score more points.